House Gives Initial OK to Craft Beer Bill
The House has given an early OK to a bill that would allow craft breweries to charge admission for tours, and include up to two six-packs of beers to give to tourists at the end. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-BeerBrewery-JV098.jpg)
-
![Tim Stevens pours an Agave Wit at Uncle Billy's Brew & Que.]()
Credit: Jacob Villanueva -
Puppy Mill Bill Bumped Off Fast Track
For the second time, Rep. Senfronia Thompson's contentious "puppy mill" bill has been bumped from the fast track. It will now be subject to debate on the general House calendar. Full Story
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Bob Daemmrich -
Senate Panel Approves $176.5 Billion Budget
A $176.5 billion budget for the 2012-13 biennium — 5.9 percent smaller than the current budget but almost $12 billion larger than the version passed earlier by the House — won approval from the Senate Finance Committee Thursday. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Liveblog: A Conversation with Lance Armstrong
We liveblogged this morning's Triblive with Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor who was instrumental in creating the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, and is pushing smoke-free workplace bills in the Legislature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/LanceArmstrong.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 76
In this week's jam-packed episode, Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben discuss higher education reformers, data security at the Comptroller's office, redistricting, the budget, and birthdays. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Tribcast_2.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Ogden Proposes Taking Additional $3B From Rainy Day Fund
Senate Finance Chair Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, has dropped the news many have been waiting to hear: He wants to attach a contingency provision to the 2012-13 budget that would withdraw $3 billion from the Rainy Day Fund. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCB7024.jpg)
![Sen. Steve Ogden R-Bryan during Senate Finance Committee hearing on April 19th, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Wrongful-Conviction Bill Moves Toward Passage in House
The House got closer Wednesday to locking in measures to reduce the number of wrongful convictions in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/tim.cole_3.jpg)
![Timothy Cole]()
Credit: Illustration by Courtesy of the Cole family -
House: Foster Kids Must Get Records Faster
Responding to a Texas Tribune article about young adults who age out of foster care being denied their records, House lawmakers passed a bill today to require the prompt release of case files following a child's discharge from foster care. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/CPS_Records_Pile_v2.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
House Tentatively Passes TEXAS Grants Bill
The House tentatively passed a bill to provide students who have demonstrated college readiness with priority access to TEXAS Grants, the state's primary need-based financial aid program. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/CollegeStudents.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Cornyn Won't Take "Nickel Tour" of Planned Parenthood
Sen. John Cornyn will not be “taking the nickel tour” of any Planned Parenthood branch, his office said Wednesday, in response to an offer by one of the organization’s Texas branches to arrange an informational visit. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich / Todd Wiseman -
Representatives Move Back Redistricting
House lawmakers will get another day to pore over redistricting maps, after Democratic members vehemently opposed an effort to change the deadline for submitting amendments. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Redistricting_Map_Tweasers.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Lawmakers Consider Resuscitation Bill
House lawmakers considered a bill this morning that would direct emergency services personnel to perform life-sustaining treatment on a patient without reviewing a written directive or living will first. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasHealthCare.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Annotated Documents: Superintendent Contracts
We’ve annotated the contracts of the 10 highest-paid school superintendents, along with those who lead the state’s 10 largest districts, so readers can view their pay in the context of retirement benefits, performance incentives, and perks like automobile and cellphone allowances. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Superintendent.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Physical Therapists Fight Mandatory Referrals
Physical therapists are pushing a bill to allow them to treat patients without a physician referral. The measure faces stiff opposition from physician groups, which say it could present a health risk to patients. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TEXTRIB-Wheelchair2.jpg)
![Chase Bearden hopes to convince lawmakers that he, and other's needing physical therapy, should be allowed to go to a physical therapist without getting a doctor's referral first.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
Data Exposure a Political Setback for Combs?
A new phone scam has highlighted the possible trouble ahead for Texans who had their personal information exposed — and, as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, for Comptroller Susan Combs, whose office mistakenly leaked the data. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmerich -
Guest Column: Don't Mess With My District!
Partisan redistricting aimed to protect or harm politicians only hurts the voters and their ability to participate in the political process. At its core, this is not about me or my party affiliation. It's about the people of Senate District 10. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Sentor_Wendy_Davis.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
House Tentatively Approves Salvia Ban
The House gave early approval today to a ban on salvia, a legal hallucinogen most often sold online and in head shops. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/large_salvia_divinorum_iti.jpg)
![Salvia Divinorum]()
-
Senators Look for Money Without Saying "Taxes"
State senators have unveiled a list of almost $5 billion in cash-flow tricks, property sales and fees that could be used to ease cuts in the state budget, but it's not enough to completely close the gap between what they have available and what they hope to spend. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCA6994.jpg)
![Senate Finance Committee Chair Sen. Steve Ogden and Sen. John Whitmire listen during committee meeting on April 19th, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Senate OKs "Strategic" Energy Exploration Council
The Senate today approved creation of the Texas Energy Policy Council, which would be in charge of planning a long-term strategy for potential exploration and production of both renewable and nonrenewable energy. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/bulbs.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Update: El Paso Hospitals May Be Allowed to Hire Docs
A bill passed by the Senate today would let the El Paso County Hospital District directly employ medical professionals to compensate for the severe shortage in the area. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/PhysRunHospitols.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dfd0461806b8f0e89232d879420458c2/DO%20NOT%20USE%20Sen%20Dav%20Pup%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c55a5c12bd47b647e5b7838edca07ead/BD%20INC%20SB1%20Lemon%2001%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/32f7f1bb5513fdd3423a2d5ba37008dd/DO%20NOT%20USE%20Cornyn%20Parenthood%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bcdbc75316456ea3e99b88114b53a557/BD%20INC%20Susan%20Combs%2001%202009)